Happy Belated: Jalil Hutchins of Whodini

Want to give a massive shout out to a real cool brother and wish Jalil Hutchins of the legendary Whodini, a very happy belated birthday (which was yesterday, Nov. 29th). Be sure to hit up his Facebook page to send greetings and well wishes. ONE LOVE!

Swede:Art: Guest Mix November 2011

I have mad respect for this cat Swede:Art, a DJ and producer from Bravaria who has some certified bangers. He's worked with Mayer Hawthorne and also collaborated with some heavy hitters on the indie circuit via the Red Bull Music academy. He just posted this dope abstract mix he put together that's complimentary. Get it while it's hot!

Melodiesinfonie - ∆ove

Don't know much about this cat Melodiesinfonie, however, he is dope with his flavor of production. I was browsing users on Soundcloud (again) and came across this youngster from Switzerland. I listened to a few of his tracks and like his crunchy snares. Also the way he pays homage to golden era Hip-Hop by using classic drums kits and styling to make his tracks. In light of how things are these days, we need some "∆ove". Enjoy!

Eric Lau: The Mission ft. Guilty Simpson

This is one hell of a heavy combination style from Eric Lau of London town linking up with Guilty Simpson of "The D", Detroit that is....Motown..."The Motor City". Pardon my Beverly Hillbillies mode. Anyway, get ready for this single to drop in two days. For now, preview the stream here...

Sweatshop: The Getaway EP

After posting Omar Lye-Fook's "The Man" video last month, I was contacted by Kriswontwo about a funky fresh group from Denmark who goes by the name of Sweatshop, which consists of members Jonas Rendbo as the lead singer, Kuku Agami on rap vocals and Daniel Fridell on production. Their EP The Getaway just touched down on November 7th and the first single is "Drug". Time to get your neck ready for some serious head nod action by pressing play on the official video below. Enjoy!



Purchase The Getaway on iTunes

Marley Marl: Heavy D Tribute Mix For WBLS

DJ Marley Marl posted this mix on his Soundcloud page a few days ago that's a tribute mix to the legendary Heavy D. Be sure to share this with friends as we salute the works and life of a great Hip-Hop artist who influenced and helped nurture the careers of many. Enjoy!

Long Arm: The Branches

I really dig the artists on Project Mooncircle. Don't know how this wonderful goodness slipped past me in earlier months, but i'm glad I caught it. Long Arm, a Orenburg based producer, caught my attention not long ago on the Finest Ego: Russian Beatmaker Compilation and The Moon Comes Closer. More of his keyboard tapping goodness is available on The Branches, which came out early February. Get a load of the official video, then get your copy of the album here. Enjoy!

Farewell Heavy D

Heavy D
(May 24, 1967 – November 8, 2011)
We bid farewell to another young legend in Hip-Hop. Dwight Arrington Myers, better known as Heavy D passed away earlier today after collapsing outside of his Beverly Hills home. Heavy D started his career with Uptown Records in New York City. Later doing the theme songs for both In Living Color and MADtv television series. He also had recurring roles on other tv shows and played small roles in several movies. His last performance was recently on the BET Music Awards and his last movie appearance was Tower Heist with Eddie Murphy and Ben Stiller. Our deepest condolences to his family and close friends. May he rest in power!

Happy Birthday: Minnie Riperton & T3

Minnie Riperton
(November 8, 1947 – July 12, 1979)
Singer-songwriter Minnie Riperton was best known for her vocal range of five-and-a-half octaves and her 1975 single "Lovin' You". She was married to songwriter and music producer Richard Rudolph from 1972 until her death in the summer of 1979. They had two children - music engineer Marc Rudolph and actress/comedienne Maya Rudolph.

As a child, she studied music, drama, and dance at Chicago's Lincoln Center. In her teen years, she sang lead vocals for the Chicago-based girl group, The Gems. Her early affiliation with the legendary Chicago-based Chess Records afforded her the opportunity to sing backup for various established artist such as Etta James, Fontella Bass, Ramsey Lewis, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, and Muddy Waters. While at Chess, Riperton also sang lead for the experimental rock/soul group Rotary Connection, from 1967 to 1971. In 1969 Riperton, along with Rotary Connection, played in the first Catholic Rock Mass at the Liturgical Conference National Convention, Milwaukee Arena, Milwaukee, WI, produced by James F. Colaianni. Riperton reached the apex of her short, but esteemed, career with her number-one hit single, "Lovin' You," on April 4, 1975. The single was the last release from her 1974 gold album entitled Perfect Angel.

In January 1976 Riperton was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a radical mastectomy. By the time of diagnosis, the cancer had metastasized and she was given about six months to live. Despite the grim prognosis, she continued recording and touring. Riperton was one of the first celebrities to go public with her breast cancer diagnosis, but did not disclose that she was terminally ill. In 1977, she became spokesman for the American Cancer Society. In 1978, Riperton also received the American Cancer Society's Courage Award which was presented to her at the White House by President Jimmy Carter. On Thursday, July 12, 1979 at 10am, while lying in her husband's arms, Riperton died while listening to a recording Stevie Wonder had made for her. She was 31.





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Hailing from the Motor City, T-3 was one third of the legendary Slum Village, with the late J-Dilla and Baatin. All three helped bring Detroit Hip-Hop and rap to gain national attention for themselves and to help open the gates for local rap artists as well.

In 2006 he released a solo mixtape titled "The Olio" and finally comes back for 2011 with 3iLLA, that dropped on June 21st.